Donald Trump: 'I run the country and the world'; Republicans, including Sens. Lee and Curtis, celebrate Trumpâs first 100 days | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | Apr. 29, 2025 It's Tuesday and International Dance Day. What you need to know The citizen's referendum to overturn Utahâs collective bargaining ban has reached its signature goal of signatures from 8% of voters in Utah â 140,748 â as well as 8% of voters in 15 of the stateâs 29 state Senate districts. On Monday morning, the referendum had a total of 146,480 verified signatures. Groups opposed to repealing Utahâs recent ban on collective bargaining say they wonât be working to rescind the signatures collected in the repeal effort of H.B. 267. Instead, they say theyâll focus their efforts on informing voters, hoping Utahns will vote to uphold the law in the 2026 election. Rapid Relevance Donald Trump: 'I run the country and the world'; Republicans, including Sens. Lee and Curtis, celebrate Trumpâs first 100 days; Utah health officials warn of hantavirus danger and tick-borne diseases | | |
| | Wildlife Crossings Save Moneyâand Lives Utah sees around 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions annually, costing taxpayers nearly $138 million in vehicle damage and injury each year.
Luckily, research shows that overpasses and underpasses with associated fencing can reduce those collisions by up to 90%. But first, they have to be funded. While wildlife crossings are sometimes included in larger road projects, Utah needs dedicated fundingâfunding that would accelerate the construction of projects when and where they are needed. Learn More. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Navajo, San Juan County leaders extend accord bolstering voting access (KSL) Do Utahâs reps think Congress will ever fix the countryâs immigration system? (KSL TV) Curtis returns to Utah, weighing in on tariffs, foreign policy and town halls (Fox13) Utah Forward Party plots new course after historic merger with United Utah Party (KSL) Municipal news Monica Zoltanski: How Sandy City is unifying fragmented neighborhoods (Deseret News) 3 southern Utah cities take top spots concerning small business in America (St. George News) Ryan Smith offering cities $500k to build hockey rinks in Utah (KUTV) SLCo Council to consider Smith Entertainment Groupâs proposal to buy part of the Salt Palace (KSL Newsradio) Utah How Catholic Community Services will keep Utah refugee resettlement program alive: Private donors step in with funds (Deseret News) Jimmer Fredette just retired. He already has a new job (Deseret News) Plane makes a 'belly-landing' at St. George Regional Airport (St. George News) Utahâs Black Desert is offering something seldom done on the LPGA Tour (Salt Lake Tribune) âIâm not proud of him:â Mother of 7-year-old that drove car from Clearfield to Ogden speaks out (ABC4) Biz/Tech Utahâs defense industry finds opportunity amid tariff uncertainty (Deseret News) Derek Miller: The Trump trade and tariff turmoil presents an opportunity for Utah (Deseret News) Provo plus-size thrift store offers hope for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse through clothing (Daily Herald) In a vise of slowing demand and rising costs, small businesses are signaling trouble ahead (Reuters) Crime/Courts Florida man arrested, accused of kidnapping Utah teen to marry her (KSL TV) DA Sim Gill emails staff, dismissing whistleblower allegations as sensationalistic (KUTV) Healthcare worker speaks out after increasing assaults at University of Utah (Fox13) Culture/Community Stop calling what happened to Shedeur Sanders a âprankâ. It was cruel. (Deseret News) Utah anglers, volunteers clean up Provo River on 10th anniversary of 'Fish for Garbage' (Fox13) Education - K-12 Alpine school board OKs $238M bond to build new schools in Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain (Daily Herald) Neighbors want to change risky intersection in front of West Point elementary school (KUTV) Education - Higher US probes Harvard and its law review for 'race-based discrimination' (Reuters) University of Utah student who became paralyzed is about to graduate (Fox13) Environment Utah looks to go nuclear, as it reaches agreement with Idaho laboratory (KSL) State law enforcement officers talk safety, quagga mussels ahead of âprimeâ boating season (KSL TV) Voices: Research on dust in Utah has never been more important. Trumpâs proposed cuts put our economy and public health at risk. (Salt Lake Tribune) Trump admin chose to âstreamlineâ permitting for a Utah mining project (Salt Lake Tribune) Family First cousins can legally get married in Utah â plus other marriage laws you may not have known about (ABC4) Health Bugs and beet juice could play roles in replacing artificial food dye (KSL Newsradio) | | |
National Headlines General Perspective: The Benedictine Nuns opened their doors â and you can too. Faith means not giving up on a better world (Deseret News) US fighter falls overboard aircraft carrier, sinks into ocean (The Hill) Political news Trump rips news organizations over polling: âThese people should be investigatedâ (The Hill) Trump hits 100-day mark. Is he keeping his promises to American voters? (Deseret News) Trump's first 100 days: America First president is overturning world order (Reuters) Reporter calls out media for coverage of Bidenâs cognitive decline at dinner honoring journalists (Deseret News) Trump thinks Hegseth will 'get it together' amid Pentagon staff chaos (NPR) In generational shift, Schatz joins race to be Senateâs No. 2 Democrat (Washington Post) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemns Trumpâs actions in fiery speech (Washington Post) Michigan Democrat files articles of impeachment against Trump (The Hill) Critics see âmonumental shiftâ in Trump remaking of DOJ civil rights division (The Hill) Immigration/Deportation Republicans unveil plan to charge asylum application fees for first time in history (Deseret News) Tariffs GOP blames tariffs, economic uncertainty for low Trump approval rating (The Hill) West Coast dockworkers blast Trumpâs ârecklessâ tariffs (The Hill) Profit warnings and uncertainty as Trump tariffs send a chill through businesses (Reuters) Trump tariffs expose US weak flank in services (Reuters) DOGE/Musk DOGE targets US foreign aid agency created under first Trump administration (Politico) Ukraine/Russia Bosnian centre trains dogs for Ukrainian demining efforts (Reuters) Israel, Gaza, Syria Palestinian envoy tells UN court Israel is killing Gaza civilians. Israel says itâs being persecuted (AP) World news Holly Richardson: âWhy should I care about kids with AIDS in Africa?â (Deseret News) Gates, others launch $500 million maternal, newborn health fund, bucking aid cuts trend (Reuters) Large regions of Spain and Portugal without power following massive blackout (Deseret News) Carneyâs Liberal party wins Canadian election and completes a stunning turnaround fueled by Trump (AP) | | |
| | News Releases Utah leaders celebrate landmark energy legislation to power Utahâs future Today, state leaders gathered for the ceremonial signing of several energy bills passed during the 2025 General Session, reaffirming Utahâs commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategyâone that includes geothermal, natural gas, coal, advanced transmission technologies and the continued development of small modular nuclear reactors. This balanced, pragmatic approach ensures Utahns have access to safe, affordable and reliable energy while positioning the state for long-term economic strength. (Read More) Utah leaders sign MOU with Idaho National Laboratory Utah leaders and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a formal, long-term collaboration on advanced energy research, workforce development and technology deploymentâparticularly on nuclear innovation. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming May 1 â Utah Foundation's annual luncheon and 80th birthday celebration, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Grand America Hotel, Register Here May 6 â "State AG Offices and the New Administration" webinar hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, 10:00 am MDT, Register here May 12 â Utah Taxes Now Conference with the Utah Taxpayers Association, Grand America Hotel, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Register here May 17 â Utah GOP Organizing Convention, at UVUâs UCCU Center. May 31 â Utah Democratic Party Organizing Convention, Ogden High School Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service gala with Sen. Tom Cotton hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at the Grand America Hotel. More Information Here | | |
On This Day In History 1854 - First African American college is chartered in Pennsylvania: Lincoln University 1945 - U.S. Army liberates 31,601 people from the Dachau concentration camp. 1945 - Conscientious objector Desmond Doss saves approximately 75 wounded soldiers in the Battle of Okinawa at Hacksaw Ridge. 1992 - Riots erupt in Los Angeles after police officers are acquitted in Rodney King trial 2004 - World War II monument opens in Washington, D.C. 2011 - Britainâs Prince William marries Kate Middleton Quote of the Day "I felt it an honor to serve my country, God and country, same as the rest of them. The only thing, I just didn't want to take life. I wanted to save life instead of taking life." âDesmond Doss On the Punny Side Went for a job interview today at IKEA. The manager said: "Come in, make a seat. | | |
| â Advertise With Us â Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
|
|
